Beginning July 1, UNeHealth officially became the front door for industry-sponsored clinical research contracting for UNMC, UNMC Physicians and The Nebraska Medical Center.

UNeHealth is a Nebraska non-profit corporation, enhancing and supporting the enterprise research mission.

Led by representatives from all three entities, UNeHealth will centralize and streamline processes among the three organizations, said Chris Kratochvil, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of UNeHealth and Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research at UNMC.

"UNeHealth will be the front door for corporate and external groups that want to partner with us on industry sponsored clinical research," he said.

With the launch, researchers will see contracts go through, and be signed by, UNeHealth officials. One goal is to speed administrative processes - to increase our competitiveness. "There will be changes in how indirect funds are processed, although the rates and allocations to department chairs won't change," Dr. Kratochvil said.

"The not-for-profit entity will increase efficiency and effectiveness, boost visibility of industry sponsored clinical research and ensure that contract budgets take into consideration the best interests of all three partners," Dr. Kratochvil said.

"This will make us a more appealing collaborator with industry," he said. "Our goal is to better facilitate industry sponsored clinical research on campus."